Thinking about moving to Phoenix area...would you describe it as just a desert?

[slackjaw]

Originally Posted by ComposerRyan

When you say the "East side of the valley" where are you talking about exactly? To the east of Phoenix? I'm just curious and have heard of the monsoon season mentioned before but don't know too much about it.

Monsoon is a seasonal weather pattern (usually Julyish to Septemberish) where there is more moisture/humidity and sometimes afternoon thunderstorms that can actually be pretty violent with wind, flooding, and low visibility. It's quite unlike thunderstorms that come with fronts in the midwest or back East where the region gets drenched, there can be some areas that get lots of rain but just a few sprinkles or nothing a mile up the road. That sounds like an exaggeration but it isn't, the morning after storms all my coworkers are asking whether each other got any rain.

I suspect the "East Valley" thing is mainly anecdotal, but it's in reference to the incongruous rainfall patterns associated with this time of year.

Winter storms around here are usually the more traditional front-based storms where the entire sky is gray and everyone gets it.

[slackjaw]

Originally Posted by ComposerRyan

Wow, thanks for the pictures and posts! Those pics are STUNNING!

Squaw Peak, South Mountain, Camelback, and Papago are all municipal parks that are right in or around Phoenix, in fact I can drive to any of them within a half hour. Great for morning hikes.

South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the world, a good time = rent horsies at the stable near the base.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by slackjaw

Squaw Peak, South Mountain, Camelback, and Papago are all municipal parks that are right in or around Phoenix, in fact I can drive to any of them within a half hour. Great for morning hikes.

South Mountain is one of the largest municipal parks in the world, a good time = rent horsies at the stable near the base.

They still have stables at South Mountain?? That's great! I used to ride out there several times a week in the late 60s/early 70s. I loved the Moonlight Rides, over the mountain to that steak house and back under a full moon. Don't recall the name of the place but it was good! I kinda doubt it's still there after all these years. I remember when they first started building homes out there which was probably around that same time. I remember a lot of family and organization events up in the park too, when I was a kid.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

They still have stables at South Mountain?? That's great! I used to ride out there several times a week in the late 60s/early 70s. I loved the Moonlight Rides, over the mountain to that steak house and back under a full moon. Don't recall the name of the place but it was good! I kinda doubt it's still there after all these years. I remember when they first started building homes out there which was probably around that same time. I remember a lot of family and organization events up in the park too, when I was a kid.

That'd be the T-Bone Steakhouse. It's still there and people still take those moonlight rides to it. It must be 30 years since I have been there. Wonder if I can still get on a horse... Or off.

[AZDesertBrat]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

That'd be the T-Bone Steakhouse. It's still there and people still take those moonlight rides to it. It must be 30 years since I have been there. Wonder if I can still get on a horse... Or off.

Wow! I can't believe it's still there but I'm glad to hear it is! Heck, I could still get on...and off...a horse. That really might be a good reason to go to Phoenix sometime in the fall. I still have a pair of boots too! Might even be a good excuse to revisit the Castle too. If it's still open.

[slackjaw]

Originally Posted by AZDesertBrat

They still have stables at South Mountain?? That's great! I used to ride out there several times a week in the late 60s/early 70s.

Sheesh first you turn out to be a girl, now you're riding horses before I was born.

[Peg Fife-Bell]

It's been a long time since I've had anything to do with any of the stables at the entrance of South Mountain Park but horseback riding is still available, and yes they still do evening rides to the T-Bone Steakhouse. Need to make a reservation for this ride. Not sure if they do this ride every evening anymore or not, but Friday nights, Saturday nights yes.

Only one stable left operating these days. It's called Ponderosa Stables. They offer a number of options for riding (always with a guide/wrangler) and weather permitting. Weekends are busiest for them especially during the spring, fall, and winter months.

If you're a horse person, the park is a really nice place to ride. I ride my horse there, and many I know 'trailer' to the equestrian area in the park and ride out.